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BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2016

Bahrain International Airshow 2016

Alan Warnes spent four days in Bahrain from Jan 20-23 to visit the latest event to establish itself on the aerospace show circuit.

A full scale replica Typhoon fitted out with all the latest weapons, was the centre-piece of the static display. All photos, Alan Warnes

Six years after the inaugural biennial Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) in 2010, the event is now taking on some importance in the region. As the fourth BIAS 2016 drew to a close, the organisers were pleased to announce orders during the three day show, had reached $9 billion, more than triple the 2014 figure. Most of this was a $7.6bn deal by Gulf Air for 29 A320neo family single aisle jets and $1.2bn of contracts to build a new terminal at Bahrain International Airport. That aside it also allowed international companies to meet the right people for future projects in the Kingdom. Participation reached an all-time high, with more than 135 companies participating and visitor numbers were up with attendance figures for both the public and trade days at over 30,000. The Bahraini people’s hospitality – always smiling, very polite and a great sense of humour. There were over 100 aircraft in the static display. On the military side, the RBAF fielded a large presence, as did the US DoD and parked in the flight line area were aerobatic teams from Saudi Arabia (Falcons –

Hawks), UAE (Al Fursan - MB339PANs) and India (Sarang – HAL Dhruv helicopters) as well as two UAEAF F-16Es, two UAEAF Mirage 2000-9s, two 29 Sqn/RAF Typhoon FGR4s and two Indian Air Force Tejas. The RBAF opened up the three hour flying display every afternoon with a flypast of three 6 Squadron F-5s and three 1 Squadron F-16s.

Air Power Symposium

On the eve of BIAS 2016, the Manama Air Power Symposium organised by Segma took place in the Sofitel Manama. It was a pretty impressive event, with speakers from the Middle East, US and UK. BAE Systems was the platinum sponsor and Bell Helicopter the Gold Sponsor – both companies are marketing their products to the RBAF which is looking to modernise its fighter and helicopter fleets.

The welcome address came from the Commander of the Royal Bahraini Air Force, Major General Shaikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Khalifah who talked about the need for interoperability within the region. There were some heavy-hitting personalities with high pedigree military background chairing the sessions. BAE Systems’ former RAF Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Chief Marshal (Ret) Sir Glen Torpy chaired the first one; General (Ret) Gary North the Vice President for Customer Requirements, Lockheed Martin chaired the second session and Lt General (Ret) George Trautman, former Deputy Commandant for Aviation, USMC the third.

Some speakers spoke generally on their subjects – with the USAF’s Lt Gen Charles Brown Jr providing us an evolution of Close Air Support for Asymmetric Warfare Environments. In the second session, the Pakistan Air Force CAS told us how the PAF had played a leading role in the Ongoing Counter Terrorism Operations – Successes and Future Challenges. It was a presentation that provided plenty of detail, which was lacking in some of the Middle Eastern presentations.

The most jaw-dropping presentation was that by the Lebanese Air Force Chief, Brigadier General (Pilot) Ghassan Chahine, who talked about utilizing helicopters in counter-terrorism operations. This saw Pumas and Hueys being loaded with 250 kg bombs. The Hueys went a stage further, by being loaded with a 400kg bomb. The iconic US helicopter was put on two concrete blocks and the big bomb from one of their Mirages was loaded between the skids. It worked well

according to the Chief, with the Huey dropping the bomb on insurgents who had earlier taken hostages. The audience of around 400 watched in disbelief as he showed the imagery and video. Not too surprisingly the Lebanese revelations went down well in the next day’s Show Daily at BIAS 2016.

Fighter speculation

The Kuwait Air Force Chief told the author that the Typhoon deal, agreed in September 2015 had not been signed amid fears that the AESA radar might not be working in the Typhoon by 2019 as required. It leaves Boeing with the opportunity to continue marketing the Boeing F/A-18E/F to the KAF and with an example in the US DoD static display from the USS Harry S Truman I’m sure the KAF Chief was invited to have a good look. The author also spoke to a senior RBAF officer, about future fighter needs. The undoubted star of the RBAF static display was the 2 Sqn F-16C, this example recently returning from war operations over Yemen. The fighters based at Taif, Saudi Arabia have been involved in ongoing missions for ten months now, with personnel deploying to the base in the holy kingdom's western reaches, one month at a time. In late December it lost a F-16C although the pilot managed to eject safely.

This RBAF F-16C had recently returned from Saudi Arabia, where it was involved in operations over Yemen.

The Yemen ops have shown the GCC countries, the need to integrate more. In the past, talking has taken precedence over action but according to one source, now is the time to tackle this more seriously. "We need to train together more and working with our allies in Saudi Arabia and also over Syria has highlighted this." The GCC Council is working on a strategy in the way forward. Each air force is likely to be given specialist tasks and duties. All the Air Force Chiefs are involved in the study now and a single strategy should be announced soon. “The RBAF is looking to step up its fighting capabilities by strengthening its fighter force to combat the deteriorating security situation in the region as well as keeping Iran in check. It wants to upgrade its existing fleet of 20 F-16C/D Block 40s to Block 50 configuration, complete with the Northrop Grumman APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR)“ the source added.

In early 2015, Lockheed Martin ordered 142 APG-83 SABRs as part of its Taiwan Air Force F-16 upgrade programme, with the first being delivered this year. Jeff Leavitt, vice president, combat avionics systems business unit, Northrop Grumman said at the time. "The maturity of SABR's design, coupled with our very experienced radar team, enabled us to bring all design reviews to a successful completion less than one year after contract award. "The experience we have gained providing the radar for every F-16 in service, as well as for the F-22 and F-35, was invaluable in getting us to this point and will continue to guide us as we move toward production." The SABR is a multifunction active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar, which brings fifth-generation air-to-air and air-to-ground radar capability to the F-16. It will give the F-16 pilots unprecedented situational awareness, targeting and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. AESA radars developed by NGC are currently flying on the F-16 Block 60, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The RBAF has also requested the purchase of 18 Block 50s, with Lockheed Martin offering the brand new F-16V version, which made its first flight on October 15 last year. When I asked Lockheed Martin's Rick Groesch, Regional Vice President – Middle East, about the F-16V, he told me: "The F-16V and upgradedBlock 40s would almost be identical, although the latter would not have the capability to be fitted with conformal fuel tanks.”

Then added: "The F-16V has got faster computers, better avionics and a centre pedestal with an MFD. We are moving as fast as we can on delivering these jets as Bahrain like the other countries, is supporting each other on multiple fronts". "When the US Government gives the go ahead, Lockheed Martin will upgrade a single F-16C and F-16D at Isa Air Base, where the fleet is housed. LM will then provide technical support to the RBAF to upgrade the remaining 18 jets. Rick finished by saying "With shrinking budgets, more air forces are looking at affordability. The F-16 is affordable, with one engine it means costs can be cut by 30-40% [compared to its dual engine equivalents]."

Another fighter in the static, albeit as a full-scale replica was the BAE Systems Typhoon. With the cockpit open for the most of the day, visitors could climb up and have a good look around the cockpit. Under the aircraft’s wings were the latest weapons, Dual Mode Brimstone (DMB), Meteor air-to-air missile, Paveway IV and storm Shadow, which should become operational on the RAF Typhoons by the end of 2018. BAE is marketing the aircraft to Bahrain, as a future F-5 replacement having already been selected by Kuwait in September 2015 and Oman in December 2012. The Royal Saudi Air Force has 72 Typhoons on order – with 58 delivered to date. BAE also bid for the UAEAF&AD requirement for up to 80 fighters, but is no longer in the running. A senior RBAF officer told the author, “We believe that Saudi Arabia will give us 12 Typhoons from an order they have of 48.” It is unclear if this is from the current Tranche 3 order or another one. According to one official “BAE Systems has not briefed Bahrain on the Typhoon because they say they know everything they need to know. We believe that is because Saudi Arabia is briefing them.” With interoperability being such an important factor in the future of any GCC military co-operation, the Typhoon could be a good bet in Bahrain and who is to say that the UAE, having not signed a contract with Dassault for Rafale will not go ahead and order the fighter too? The biggest factor in any future fighter award is the AESA radar. All self- respecting air forces now want this capability in their combat aircraft. With Eurofighter committing itself to providing an AESA radar in the Kuwait Air Force Typhoon by 2019, the multinational company knows that it has to deliver or lose out.

Meanwhile there are strong rumours coming from Saudi Arabia, that it has ordered ‘up to 60 Su-30s’. When the author asked Rosboronexport if it was dealing with the Saudis, the spokesman rattled out the same old line: “You should speak to the Saudis about this.” His colleague smiled broadly.

Saudi along with its neighbours were annoyed and frustrated when the US and UK governments allegedly stopped supplying spare parts for their aircraft during the 2011 Arab Uprising. As a result, Saudi wants to ensure its defences are not threatened again by buying Russian and spreading the risk.

Other fighters present included a UAEAF&AD Mirage 2000-9 and F-16 Block 60, which participated in the flying programme along with a RAF Tornado FGR4.

Al Fursan, the UAEAF&AD aerobatic team with their MB339NATs also flew in the display.

Indian Tejas

The biggest surprise at the show, was the Indian Tejas Light Combat Aircraft which was making its first appearance outside India. There were two aircraft, one flew every day with another acting as a spare. The great indigenous hope of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been

bogged down by development issues, and met with some scepticism by the IAF. Since making its first flight in January 2001, the Tejas has flown 3063 flights and 1956 hours. However, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) Scientist R 'Swami' Swaminathan says the future now looks great. "We handed over the first series production (SP) Tejas on January 27, 2015 and three more will follow before the end of March."

The Indian Tejas was making its first overseas trip and was a welcome visitor to BIAS 2016 where it also participated in the flying display.

The IAF jets will be flown by the Tejas Squadron at IAF Base Sulur near Coimbatore in southern India. To date Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) at Bangalore has built 16 Tejas light combat aircraft comprising: two technology demonstrators (TD-1/2), three single-seat prototype vehicles (PV-1/2/3), a dual seat prototype vehicle (PV-5), seven Limited Series Production (LSP-1/2/3/4/5/7/8), dual seat Naval Prototype (NP-1) and single seat NP-2. The Indian Air Force has 40 Tejas Mark 1s on order, in two batches of 20 with deliveries of the first batch of 20 delivered 'before 2019' according to Swaminathan. A further 100 Mk1As are being built for the IAF, which will feature enhanced indigenous self projection electronic warfare system and AESA radar. The naval version of Tejas, has an arrestor hook installed for aircraft carrier deck operations. A modification to

the control surface in the wing apex, will allow the pilot to reduce the approach speed for carrier landings, when deflected up. The first navy prototype NP-1 made its maiden flight on April 27, 2012 followed by NP-2 on February 7, 2015. The highest-ranking IAF officer working at the event was Air Vice Marshal Chalapati. He heads up the National Flight Test Centre (NFTC), which is tasked with testing and evaluating the Tejas. Flying the jet at BIAS 2016 was Indian Navy pilot, Commodore JA Maolankar who has spent ten years on the project. Acting as back up pilot was Group Captain Madhav ‘Ranga’ Rangachari who has recently converted from Mirage 2000. A third pilot who ferried one of the jets both ways was Captain S Dahiya. Alongside them were two flight test engineers. The NFTC is now ‘tying up loose ends’ right now they are focussing on TV aspects, night-flying, weapons systems and some armament trials as well as care-free manoeuvring. The air to air refuelling is done. Ranga converted from Mirage 2000s in July 2015 and has since flown around 30 sorties. “Its best features are the radar, weapons systems, and the digital fly-by-wire but its time to focus on the production now” AVM Chalapati told me. The Indian Air Force also brought along the Sarang helicopter display team, which comprises four HAL Dhruv helicopters. Its leader, Group Captain AS Abhayankar was very pleased to be present: “We aimed to enchant our audience with precision manoeuvring and ballet-like co-ordinated flying. The display embodies beauty and grace: hence the name Sarang, which means peacock, India’s national bird, in Sanskrit.”

Overall

The company stands were all contained in one big hangar, with over 50 being represented from as far as Taiwan. There were some 40 chalets all lined up overlooking the static.

Unlike any other show I have attended, the public area was separate from the trade areas – with the entrance at the next gate down. It was an impressive area and while there were only two helicopters, a Police Bell 212 and Royal Bahraini Air Force Bell 212 there was plenty else for the public to enjoy. A grandstand saw a band playing, there was a food court and loads more attractions too.

In a bid not to take place so close to Dubai Air Show, the next BIAS has been arranged for November 14-16, 2018 a year after the Dubai Show instead of two months.

Amanda Stainer, the commercial director for Farnborough International which helped to organize the event, said: "We have been delighted to see the Bahrain International Airshow grow from strength to strength and in particular having a greater international presence." "We’ve worked with the Ministry of Telecommunications and Transportation and the CAA very closely over the past 10 years and look forward to working with them again in 2018, she added.

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Search and Rescue Conference

Military Repair

Search & Rescue

Military Repair

Maintenance & Overhaul

Civil ISR

Aerial Fire Fighting

Airborne Special Mission

Aviation FireSearch & Rescue

Military Repair

Civil ISR

Anti-Submarine Warfare

Airborne Special Mission

Aviation Fire

Rescue & Resilience

Electronic Warfare

Electronic Warfare

Anti-Submarine Warfare

Military Repair

Aerial Fire Fighting

Civil ISR

Civil ISR

Rescue & Resilience

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